U.S. patent application number 12/147034 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-22 for device and method for the optical measurement of an optical system by using an immersion fluid.
This patent application is currently assigned to CARL ZEISS SMT AG. Invention is credited to Albrecht Ehrmann, Markus Goeppert, Helmut Haidner, Uwe Schellhorn, Martin Schriever, Joachim Stuehler, Ulrich Wegmann.
Application Number | 20090021726 12/147034 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32404388 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090021726 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wegmann; Ulrich ; et
al. |
January 22, 2009 |
DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THE OPTICAL MEASUREMENT OF AN OPTICAL SYSTEM
BY USING AN IMMERSION FLUID
Abstract
A device for the optical measurement of an optical system, in
particular an optical imaging system, is provided. The device
includes at least one test optics component arranged on an object
side or an image side of the optical system. An immersion fluid is
adjacent to at least one of the test optics components. A container
for use in this device, a microlithography projection exposure
machine equipped with this device, and a method which can be
carried out with the aid of this device are also provided. The
device and method provide for optical measurement of
microlithography projection objectives with high numerical
apertures by using wavefront detection with shearing or point
diffraction interferometry, or a Moire measuring technique.
Inventors: |
Wegmann; Ulrich;
(Koenigsbronn, DE) ; Schellhorn; Uwe; (Aalen,
DE) ; Stuehler; Joachim; (Aalen, DE) ;
Ehrmann; Albrecht; (Koenigsbronn, DE) ; Schriever;
Martin; (Aalen, DE) ; Goeppert; Markus;
(Aalen, DE) ; Haidner; Helmut; (Aalen,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & RICHARDSON PC
P.O. BOX 1022
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55440-1022
US
|
Assignee: |
CARL ZEISS SMT AG
Oberkochen
DE
|
Family ID: |
32404388 |
Appl. No.: |
12/147034 |
Filed: |
June 26, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11080525 |
Mar 16, 2005 |
7408652 |
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12147034 |
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PCT/EP2003/014663 |
Dec 19, 2003 |
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11080525 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
356/124 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03F 7/2041 20130101;
G03F 7/70341 20130101; G03F 7/706 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
356/124 |
International
Class: |
G01B 9/00 20060101
G01B009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 20, 2002 |
DE |
102 61 775.9 |
Claims
1. Device for the optical measurement of an optical system,
comprising at least one of: one or more object-side test optics
components arranged in front of the optical system to be measured,
and one or more image-side test optics components arranged behind
the optical system to be measured, where the device is designed
such as to introduce an immersion liquid adjacent to at least one
of the one or more object-side test optics components and the one
or more image-side test optics components.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application of and claims
priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 11/080,525, filed on Mar. 16,
2005, which is a continuation-in-part of International Application
PCT/EP2003/014663, with an international filing date of Dec. 19,
2003, which was published under PCT Article 21(2) in English, and
the disclosure of which is incorporated into this application by
reference; the following disclosure is additionally based on German
Patent Application No. 102 61 775.9 filed on Dec. 20, 2002, which
is also incorporated into this application by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a device and a method for the
optical measurement of an optical system, in particular an optical
imaging system, having one or more object-side test optics
components to be arranged in front of the optical system to be
measured, and/or one or more image-side test optics components to
be arranged behind the optical system to be measured, to a
container which can be used for such a device, and to a
microlithography projection exposure machine equipped with such a
device. The designations "object-side" and "image-side" indicate,
in the way they are used specifically in the case of optical
imaging systems, that the relevant test optics component is
intended for positioning in the beam path of a used measuring
radiation in front or, respectively, behind the optical system to
be measured.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Such devices and methods are known in various forms, in
particular for measuring optical imaging systems with regard to
aberrations. One field of application is the highly accurate
determination of aberrations of high-aperture imaging systems such
as are used, for example, in microlithography systems for
patterning semiconductor components by means of the so-called
wavefront detection using shearing interferometry, point
diffraction interferometry and other known types of interferometer
such as the Ronchi type and Twyman-Green type, or by means of Moire
measuring techniques. In most cases of these techniques, a periodic
or wavefront-forming structure is arranged on the object side and
imaged by the optical imaging system to be measured, and brought
into superimposition or interference with the periodic structure
provided on the image side. The interference or superimposition
pattern produced can be recorded with the aid of a suitable
detector and evaluated in order to adjust and/or qualify the
optical imaging system. When the same radiation, for example UV
radiation, is used for wavefront measurement as is used by the
optical imaging system in its normal operation, it being possible
for the measuring device to be integrated in one component with the
imaging system, this is also denoted as a so-called system or
operational interferometer (OI). A device of this type is
disclosed, for example, in laid-open publication DE 101 09 929
A1.
[0006] Various methods are known in the literature for increasing
the resolution of an optical imaging system, such as reducing the
wavelength of the light used in the imaging, and increasing the
image-side numerical aperture of the imaging system. The latter is
achieved in so-called immersion objectives by using an immersion
fluid: see, for example, the projection exposure machines operating
with immersion as disclosed in laid-open publications JP 10303114 A
and JP 12058436 A.
[0007] On the basis of shearing interfermetry, such an OI device
usually comprises an illuminating mask, also termed coherence mask,
and an upstream illuminating optics on the object side, that is to
say on the object side of the optical system to be measured, also
denoted below as OUT (object under test). Adjoining the OUT on the
image side is a diffraction grating, followed by a detector element
such as a CCD array, with the optional interposition of imaging
optics which project the exit pupil of the OUT onto the detector
plane of the detector element. It is mostly the case that the
coherence mask is arranged in the object plane, and the diffraction
grating is arranged in the image plane of the OUT. In accordance
with the spacing conditions to be observed for the optical beam
guidance, there are respective interspaces between the object-side
last test optics component of the measuring device and the OUT,
between the OUT and the image-side first test optics component of
the measuring device, and/or between respectively consecutive test
optics components on the object side and/or the image side of the
OUT.
[0008] These interspaces are customarily either open, that is to
say in the interspaces the radiation used traverses an atmosphere
which corresponds to that of the system neighbourhood, for example
air, nitrogen or a vacuum atmosphere, or closed, and are operated
or purged with the aid of a prescribed gas atmosphere.
[0009] Under these conditions, it is normally possible to use such
measuring devices to measure imaging systems up to numerical
apertures of the order of magnitude of 0.95. The measurement of
objectives of higher numerical aperture of the order of magnitude
of 1.0 and above, as in the case of objectives which are used in
immersion and near-field lithography, is therefore scarcely
possible.
[0010] A primary technical problem underlying the invention is to
provide a device of the type mentioned at the beginning which, with
relatively low outlay, permits even optical imaging systems of very
high numerical aperture to be measured, and can be of relatively
compact design, to provide a corresponding method and a container
suitable for use in such a device, and to provide a
microlithography projection exposure machine equipped with such a
device.
SUMMARY
[0011] The invention solves this problem by providing, in various
aspects and formulations, a device, a container, a microlithography
projection exposure machine, and a method having the features set
forth in the independent claims and the description below.
[0012] In the device according to the invention, an immersion fluid
can be and, in operation, is introduced adjacent to at least one of
the one or more object-side test optics components and/or
image-side test optics components. By contrast with a beam guidance
without an immersion fluid, the beam guidance thereby enabled with
the aid of immersion fluid permits the beam aperture angle or beam
cross section to be reduced without loss of information in
conjunction with an otherwise identical system dimensioning.
Consequently, it is possible in this way to measure with sufficient
accuracy even optical imaging systems with a very high aperture of
the order of magnitude of 1.0 and more, for example using shearing
interferometry wavefront detection. Furthermore, this results in
the possibility of a very compact design of the measuring
device.
[0013] In a development of the invention, one or more interspaces
are formed between respectively two consecutive object-side test
optics components, between respectively two consecutive image-side
test optics components, between an object-side last test optics
component and the following optical system to be measured, and/or
between the optical system and a following, first image-side test
optics component, and at least one of the interspaces forms an
immersion fluid chamber for introducing immersion fluid. It is
possible in this way for an immersion fluid to be introduced into a
chamber at any desired point between two test optics components of
the measuring device and/or between the optical system to be
measured and a neighbouring test optics component.
[0014] A development of the invention is directed specifically at
an interferometry measuring device which has on the image side in a
customary way an interference pattern generating structure and a
detector element. At least one immersion fluid chamber is formed
between the test component and image-side interference pattern
generating structure, and/or between the latter and a following
test optics component and/or between the detector element and a
preceding test optics component. The use of an immersion fluid
between the image-side interference pattern generating structure
and detector element permits a reduction in the beam aperture angle
between these two test optics components, and a more compact design
of the arrangement. In addition, advantages result with regard to
the signal-to-noise ratio.
[0015] A development of the invention provides an interferometry
device for wavefront detection which includes on the object side an
interference pattern generating structure and upstream illuminating
optics, at least one immersion fluid chamber being formed between
the illuminating optics and the object-side interference pattern
generating structure and/or between the latter and the test
component. This also contributes to the fact that test components
with a high aperture of, for example, 1.0 or more, such as
projection objectives of microlithography systems, can be measured
with the aid of this device without any problem.
[0016] In a development of the invention, the device is designed
for measurement by means of shearing or point diffraction
interferometry.
[0017] In a development of the invention, the device is of the
dual-pass reflective type as an alternative to a single-pass
design, which is also possible. Whereas in the case of the latter
the radiation passes through the OUT only once, in the case of the
dual-pass type it is directed back through the OUT by an image-side
reflector element, and the detection is performed on the object
side, that is to say on the same side of the OUT on which the other
object-side test optics components, such as an object-side
interference pattern generating structure and/or illuminating
optics, are located. Such a dual-pass device can be, for example,
of the type of a Twyman-Green interferometer.
[0018] In a development of the invention, the device comprises a
device for continuous or intermittent exchange of immersion fluid,
for example in a respective immersion fluid chamber.
[0019] In a refinement of the invention, a bellows arrangement, a
sealing brush and/or sealing bar arrangement and/or a labyrinth
seal arrangement are/is provided as transverse bounding of the
respective immersion fluid chamber, which is bounded axially by the
two adjacent optical components. Such seals are comparatively easy
to implement and can also be used, in particular, in OI
arrangements of microlithography projection objectives.
[0020] In one advantageous development of the invention, a quantum
converter layer and/or at least one lens element and/or at least
one liquid droplet are/is arranged on a radiation exit surface of a
structure substrate as an image-side test optics component, which,
for example, has an interference pattern generating structure. This
measure makes it possible to avoid total internal reflection on
this radiation exit surface of the structure mount, even for high
beam angles, such as those which can occur, for example, in the
case of large-aperture objectives to be measured, such as immersion
objectives.
[0021] In one development of the invention, a fixed arrangement
comprising a structure mount and downstream optics, such as a
microscope objective or imaging optics, is provided as two
image-side test optics components. This makes it easier to adjust
these test optics components and, furthermore, contributes to
keeping an area in which the optical characteristics are corrected
small, thus simplifying the design and production of the microscope
objective. If required, this measure can be combined with the
fitting (as mentioned above) of one or more lens elements, one or
more liquid droplets and/or a quantum converter layer on the
radiation exit surface of the structure mount.
[0022] In a further refinement, an immersion liquid can be
introduced into a space between the optical system to be measured
and the structure mount, adjacent to a radiation inlet surface of
the structure mount, advantageously combined with the measures
mentioned above for arrangement of a quantum converter layer and/or
at least one lens element and/or liquid droplet on the radiation
exit surface of the structure mount, and/or the fixing of the
structure mount and microscope objective relative to one
another.
[0023] In a further refinement of the invention, an immersion
liquid can be introduced into a space between the structure mount
and a downstream detector element, for example a CCD array,
adjacent to the radiation exit surface of the structure mount. In
this case, the detector element or some other test optics component
which is adjacent to the immersion liquid may be provided with a
protection layer, thus protecting it against the influence of the
immersion liquid.
[0024] The measures mentioned above for avoidance of total internal
reflection advantageously allow multichannel wavefront measurement
when required, even for very large aperture objectives, that is to
say a parallel, simultaneous measurement on a plurality of
measurement channels, that is to say field points, for example by
lateral shearing interferometry.
[0025] In a development of the invention, a periodic structure used
for forming an interference pattern or superimposition pattern is
located in a container which is filled for the purpose of measuring
with immersion fluid which covers the periodic structure. The
container is positioned behind the optical system to be measured in
such a way that an exit-end optical element of the optical system
makes contact with the immersion fluid. For example, the interspace
between the exit-end optical element of the optical system and the
periodic structure can be completely filled with the immersion
fluid. The container can, for example, be positioned such that the
periodic structure lies in the image plane of an imaging system to
be measured, or near the same.
[0026] In accordance with the invention, a container suitable for
use in a device for measuring an optical system has a window
inserted in a fluid-tight fashion into a cutout in the container
wall. The window can be designed as an associated test optics
component with the periodic structure, or the relevant test optics
component is positioned in front of the window in the container.
With the aid of the window, the interference pattern or
superimposition pattern, which is formed, for example,
approximately in the plane of the periodic structure, can be
observed through the container wall such that an associated
detector need not be arranged inside the container, and thus inside
the immersion fluid, but can be positioned externally.
Alternatively, or in addition to the abovementioned use on the
image side, it is also possible to provide a container with an
associated object-side test optics component for the purpose of
object-side positioning.
[0027] In a refinement of the container, the window is made from
fluorescing material. This permits a visualization of the radiation
or the interference pattern or superimposition pattern even in
cases in which operation is performed with invisible radiation, for
example with UV radiation. In the case of the use of the Moire
measuring technique, this measure can render it possible for the
detector to access the aperture of the Moire strips more
easily.
[0028] In an advantageous development of the invention, the said
device has a container of the type according to the invention.
[0029] A device developed further in accordance with the invention
serves for measuring optical systems by means of Moire measurement
technology. For this purpose, there is arranged in front of the
optical system a periodic structure which generates a Moire
superimposition pattern with the image-side periodic structure.
Normally, for this purpose the periodic structure on the image
side, that is to say behind the optical system, is identical to or
at least very similar to that on the object side, that is to say in
front of the optical system, and the scale ratio of the two
structures corresponds to that of the magnification ratio of the
optical imaging system under test. The evaluation of the generated
Moire superimposition pattern can provide information on
distortions and further aberrations of the optical system.
[0030] In an advantageous design of the device, the container is
open at the top, and the opening is dimensioned such that when the
container is positioned below the exit-end optical element of the
optical system, a gap remains between this element and the
container wall. For the purpose of adjustment and/or measurement,
the container, and thus the periodic structure, can be moved by
this gap using a suitable positioning device in any desired spatial
directions relative to the exit-end element of the optical system.
The gap also permits direct access to the immersion fluid, for
example in order to eliminate disturbances to the beam path as a
consequence of striations, gas bubbles or heat.
[0031] The measuring device according to the invention is
integrated in the microlithography projection exposure machine
according to the invention. In this case, the exposure machine can
be, in particular, one of the customary types of scanner or
stepper. The integrated measuring device can be used to measure a
projection objective of the exposure machine in situ, that is to
say there is no need for dismantling.
[0032] The method according to the invention can be carried out, in
particular, with the aid of the device according to the
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0033] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are illustrated in
the drawings and described below. In the drawings:
[0034] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic side view of an OI device for
measuring an objective, for example used in a microlithography
projection exposure machine, by means of shearing interferometry
wavefront detection with the aid of immersion fluid and sealing
bellows,
[0035] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic side view of the image-side part
of an OI device similar to FIG. 1, but for a variant without
additional imaging optics between a diffraction grating and a
detector element,
[0036] FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic side view of the image-side part
of an OI device similar to FIG. 2, but for a variant with labyrinth
seal and sealing brush or sealing bar arrangements instead of
bellows seals,
[0037] FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic side view of the image-side part
of an OI device similar to FIG. 1 for a variant with a labyrinth
seal between the OUT and a diffraction grating, as well as sealing
based on surface tension between the diffraction grating and a
micro-objective,
[0038] FIG. 5 shows a diagrammatic side view of an OI device
according to FIG. 1 but in a design for objective measurement by
means of point diffraction interferometry,
[0039] FIG. 6 shows a diagrammatic side view of a device for
measuring an objective, for example used in a microlithography
system, by means of phase-shifting Twyman-Green interferometry,
[0040] FIG. 7 shows a diagrammatic side view of a device for
measuring an optical imaging system using Moire measurement
technology,
[0041] FIG. 8 shows a schematic side view of the image-side part of
an OI device analogous to FIG. 1, but for a variant with a quantum
converter layer on a structure mount radiation exit surface,
[0042] FIG. 9 shows a schematic side view, corresponding to FIG. 8,
for a variant with a lens element on the radiation exit surface of
the structure mount,
[0043] FIG. 10 shows a schematic side view, corresponding to FIG.
8, for a variant with additional imaging optics,
[0044] FIG. 11 shows a schematic side view, corresponding to FIG.
8, for a variant with immersion liquid between the structure mount
and the downstream detector element,
[0045] FIG. 12 shows a schematic side view of the image-side part
of an OI device, analogous to FIG. 1, for a variant with a
structure mount, having a lens element, and a microscope objective,
fixed relative to one another, and
[0046] FIG. 13 shows a schematic side view of an image-side
structure mount, corresponding to FIG. 12, but with a liquid
droplet arranged on the radiation exit side.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0047] The device illustrated in FIG. 1 serves for the optical
measurement of an objective 1, such as a projection objective of a
microlithography projection exposure machine of the scanner or
stepper type for semiconductor device patterning, the objective 1
being represented merely diagrammatically by an entrance-end lens
1a, an objective pupil 1b and an exit-end lens 1c, which are held
in a ring holder 1d.
[0048] On the object-side of the objective 1 to be measured, the
measuring device includes an illuminating module 2 of which there
are shown an illuminating lens 2a and a following coherence mask 2b
which functions as an object-side interference pattern generating
structure. On the image side of the objective 1, the measuring
device has a diffraction grating 3, functioning as an image-side
interference pattern generating structure, a following
micro-objective 4 and a detector element 5 downstream of the
latter. The micro-objective 4 and detector element 5 are held in a
ring holder 6.
[0049] The coherence mask 2b is in the object plane of the
objective 1. As indicated by a movement arrow B, the diffraction
grating 3 is arranged such that it moves laterally in the image
plane of the objective 1. The coherence mask 2b and the diffraction
grating 3 are provided with suitable structures for wavefront
detection by means of shearing interferometry, as is known per
se.
[0050] The micro-objective projects the pupil of the objective 1
onto the detector element 5, which is implemented as a CCD array of
an imaging camera, for example. The shearing interferometry
interference patterns picked up by the detector element 5 are
evaluated in an evaluation unit (not shown) for determining the
imaging behaviour and/or the aberrations, i.e. imaging errors, or
wave aberrations in a conventional way.
[0051] In this respect, the device is of a conventional type and
therefore requires no further explanations. Apart from these
conventional measures, it is provided that one or more of the
interspaces existing between the optical components used are
delimited in a fluid-tight fashion by means forming a fluid chamber
such that it can be filled with an immersion fluid.
[0052] For this purpose, in the example shown in FIG. 1 bellows
means are provided which bound the respective interspace radially,
that is to say transverse to the beam path or the optical axis of
the imaging system, while it is bounded axially by the respectively
adjacent optics component. In detail, FIG. 1 shows a first bellows
7a, which bounds the interspace between the illuminating objective
2a and the downstream coherence mask 2b with the formation of a
first immersion fluid chamber 8a. A second bellows 7b bounds the
interspace between the coherence mask 2b and the entrance-end lens
1a of the objective 1 in order to form a second immersion fluid
chamber 8b. A third bellows 7c bounds the interspace between the
exit-end objective lens 1c and the downstream diffraction grating 3
with the formation of a third immersion fluid chamber 8c. A fourth
bellows 7d bounds the interspace between the diffraction grating 3
and the micro-objective 4 with the formation of a fourth immersion
fluid chamber 8d.
[0053] Moreover, the ring holder 6 forms a part of the means
forming the fluid chamber, by virtue of the fact that it radially
bounds the interspace between the micro-objective 4 and detector
element 5 in a fluid-tight fashion with the formation of a further
immersion fluid chamber 8e.
[0054] Filling the immersion fluid chambers 8a to 8e with a
respectively suitable immersion fluid influences the beam path such
that the respective aperture angle and the beam cross section are
reduced in conjunction with an otherwise identical system
dimensioning, as follows from the edge beam path 9 shown
diagrammatically in FIG. 1. As a consequence of this, by comparison
with a system design without immersion fluid in the chambers 8a to
8e sealed by the bellows 7a to 7d, it is possible for the objective
1 with a higher numerical aperture to be measured in a spatially
resolved fashion over its entire pupil, and/or for the measuring
device to be implemented with a more compact design.
[0055] In alternative embodiments, only one, two, three or four of
the five immersion fluid chambers 8a to 8e shown in FIG. 1 are
formed by dispensing with one or more of the bellows 7a and 7d
and/or a fluid-tight design of the ring holder 6. Instead of the
bellows 7a to 7d or the ring holder 6, it is possible to use any
other conventional means forming a fluid chamber in order to seal
the relevant interspace between two consecutive optics components
in each case. As is obvious to the person skilled in the art, the
immersion fluid to be used can be selected in a suitable way, in a
fashion adapted to the application, from the fluids known for this
purpose, in particular with respect to their refractive index and
with regard to not damaging the adjacent surfaces of the optics
components and the means forming a fluid chamber. Thus, for
example, in the case of applications with an operating wavelength
of 193 nm, deionized water with a refractive index of 1.47 is
suitable as immersion fluid, it being possible for the respective
immersion fluid chamber to have an axial extent of several
millimetres. Perfluoropolyether, for example, for which the
transmittance is approximately 90% given an axial length of 50
.mu.m for the immersion fluid chamber, is suitable in the case of
an operating wavelength of 157 nm. Further conventional immersion
fluids which can presently be used are lithium salts and strontium
salts for UV radiation, as well as halogen-free oil immersions for
operating wavelengths below 400 nm, e.g. at 248 nm.
[0056] FIG. 2 shows the image-side part of a compact OI variant of
FIG. 1, which differs from the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 in
that the detector element 5 follows the diffraction grating 3 as
the next optics component without the interposition of imaging
optics. To ease comprehension, identical reference symbols are
chosen in FIG. 2 for functionally equivalent component parts, which
need not necessarily be identical. The interspace existing between
the diffraction grating 3 and the detector element 5 is sealed by a
bellows 7e in a fluid-tight fashion radially outwards to form an
immersion fluid chamber 8f. Otherwise, one or more further
immersion fluid chambers can be formed in accordance with FIG. 1 in
the upstream system part, for example the third immersion fluid
chamber 8c, shown explicitly in FIG. 2, between the exit-end
objective lens 1c and the diffraction grating 3.
[0057] The introduction of an immersion fluid into the chamber 8f
between the diffraction grating 3 and detector element 5 is
particularly advantageous in the case of the variant of FIG. 2.
This is because, as may be seen in FIG. 2 with the aid of the edge
beam path 9, the aperture angle of the radiation leaving the
diffraction grating 3 is reduced compared to the beam path without
immersion fluid, and thus permits the use of a detector element 5
having reduced areal requirement for the given numerical aperture
of the OUT. This benefits a more compact design of the overall
system.
[0058] In the example shown, an immersion fluid with a refractive
index greater than that of the diffraction grating substrate 3 is
selected, with the consequence that the aperture angle of the
radiation is smaller after exit from the diffraction grating
substrate 3 than in the latter. Alternatively, immersion fluids
with a lower refractive index than that of the diffraction grating
substrate 3 can be used, as is illustrated in the example of FIG.
3. If required, it is possible to dispense with otherwise customary
antireflection coating on the diffraction grating 3 by adapting the
refractive indices of immersion fluid and diffraction grating
3.
[0059] A further advantage of introducing an immersion fluid into
the immersion fluid chambers formed precisely in the image-side
part of the measuring device consists in that the signal-to-noise
ratio and thus the measuring accuracy can be improved, since the
detected intensity of image points in the edge region decreases
with the fourth power of the cosine of the aperture angle.
[0060] In a view corresponding to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 shows a variant of
the compact OI device of FIG. 2 in the case of which the radial
sealing of the immersion fluid chamber 8c between the exit-end
objective lens 1c and the diffraction grating 3 is implemented by a
bipartite labyrinth seal 10 of which an outer cylindrical ring 10a
adjoins the exit-end objective lens 1c, and an inner cylindrical
ring 10b is coupled to the diffraction grating 3. The outer ring
10a is provided on its inside with a plurality of radially inwardly
projecting labyrinth rings which are arranged at an axial spacing
and in whose interspaces radially outwardly projecting labyrinth
rings of the inner cylindrical ring 10b engage such that a narrow
labyrinth duct is formed. The narrow labyrinth duct holds immersion
fluid in the immersion fluid chamber 8c because of its surface
tension. At the same time, this labyrinth seal 10 permits adequate
lateral mobility of the diffraction grating 3 with reference to the
exit-end objective lens 1c by virtue of the fact that the comb-like
interlocking labyrinth rings can be moved laterally relative to one
another without varying the width of the labyrinth duct. The
lateral movement of the diffraction grating 3 is effected in this
example by means of a customary lateral movement actuator 14.
[0061] As a further difference from the exemplary embodiment of
FIG. 2, in the example of FIG. 3 the immersion fluid chamber 8f
between the diffraction grating 3 and the detector element 5 is
sealed radially by a sealing brush arrangement 11 which consists of
individual brush hairs 11 which project upwards axially from the
detector element 5 and are arranged in the shape of a ring.
Alternatively, a sealing bar arrangement comprising a plurality of
coaxial bar rings, which leave a narrow annular gap between them,
or a sealing lip arrangement can be provided. As in the case of the
labyrinth seal 10, because of the action of surface tension or
capillary force, the narrow interspaces of the brushes or bars are
sealed by the immersion fluid itself. If required, grooves suitable
for amplifying the effect of surface tension can be introduced into
the surface regions relevant to sealing.
[0062] In an illustration similar to FIGS. 2 and 3, FIG. 4 shows a
further variant of the OI device of FIG. 1, which differs from the
latter in the image-end part by virtue of the fact that, firstly,
the labyrinth seal 10 in accordance with FIG. 3 is provided for
sealing between the exit-end objective lens 1c and diffraction
grating 3 and, secondly, use is made for the purpose of sealing the
immersion fluid chamber 8f between the diffraction grating 3 and a
microscope objective 4a functioning as micro-objective solely of
the effect of surface tension or capillary force of the introduced
immersion fluid, for which purpose an annular groove 12 along the
edge region of the plane front side of the microscope objective 4a
is provided in a supporting fashion. The lateral extent of the
immersion fluid introduced into the immersion fluid chamber 8f thus
formed stabilizes on the outside by its surface tension at the
annular groove 12 of the microscope objective 4a with the formation
of a corresponding, outwardly curved edge face 13. It goes without
saying that this type of sealing is confined to interspaces with a
comparatively small axial height. As in the case of the
above-mentioned bellows, brush, bar or sealing lip arrangements,
the sealing variant of FIG. 4 also permits an adequate lateral
mobility of the diffraction grating 3. A lateral relative movement
of the diffraction grating 3 relative to the OUT 1 is desired for
purposes of adjustment and for locating the focal position, while a
lateral movement of the diffraction grating 3 relative to the
detector element 5 or micro-objective 4, 4a is desired for the
phase-shifting operation of shearing interferometry.
[0063] In the examples shown, it becomes clear that owing to the
introduction of immersion fluid between the objective 1 and the
image-side grating 3 it is possible for the field area defined by
the numerical aperture of the objective 1 to be imaged completely
even in the case of very high aperture values, and that a high
resolving power is achieved when the measuring device is installed
as an OI device at the place of use of the objective 1, for example
in a projection exposure machine of a microlithography system. In
normal operation, during the exposure process a wafer to be
exposed, for example with photoresist, is located in the image
plane, and so the OI device can advantageously be installed in a
stepper or scanner, the immersion fluid chamber corresponding to
and even promoting the conditions of use for the latter. Filling
one or more of the object-side interspaces, such as the interspace
between the object-side interference pattern generating structure
2b, where, for example, a reticle is located when the objective 1
is in use, and the objective 1 permits the objective to be designed
with smaller lens diameters.
[0064] In addition to introducing immersion fluid in front of the
micro-objective 4, 4a, the latter is designed such that it is
suitable for testing objectives 1 with numerical apertures of up to
approximately 0.9, since its numerical aperture must be greater
than or equal to that of the OUT 1 if, as desired, the entire
objective pupil is to be measured. Moreover, it is possible for the
very first time in this way also to measure objectives with
numerical apertures of greater than approximately 0.95 or even
greater than 1.0 with relatively low outlay by using this
technique. If required, an immersion fluid can also be located in
the micro-objective 4, 4a between optical components of the
same.
[0065] In a view corresponding to FIG. 1, FIG. 5 shows an exemplary
embodiment of the point diffraction interferometer type. On the
object side of the objective 1 to be measured, this measuring
device includes an illuminating module 2' with an illuminating lens
2a and a following pinhole mask 2c functioning as object-side
interference pattern generating structure. The said mask is
arranged in the object plane of the OUT 1 for the purpose of
generating a first spherical wave. A beam splitter in the form of a
diffraction grating 15 is provided between the pinhole mask 2c and
the entrance-end lens 1a of the OUT 1, in order to generate a
second spherical wave coherent to the first one. Alternatively,
this beam splitter diffraction grating 15 can be arranged in front
of the object-side pinhole mask 2c or on the image side between the
exit-end objective lens 1c and a further, image-side pinhole mask
3a which is preferably located in the image plane of the objective
1. For the purpose of phase shifting, the beam-splitting
diffraction grating 15 is arranged, in turn, such that it can be
moved laterally by a corresponding lateral movement actuator 16, as
symbolized by the movement arrow B.
[0066] The second pinhole mask 3a, positioned in the image plane
or, alternatively, in the vicinity of the image plane of the
objective 1, has a second pinhole, in order to generate a spherical
reference wave by diffraction. The radiation for generating the
reference wave originates from the imaging by the objective 1 of
the first or second of the spherical waves supplied by the
beam-splitting diffraction grating 15, which are represented
diagrammatically in FIG. 5 by continuous or dashed lines
respectively, it being possible for a different diffraction
efficiency, and thus different intensities of superimposition to
result depending on the design of the beam-splitting grating 15. An
important parameter for the intensity of superimposition is also
the pinhole size.
[0067] Apart from the pinhole, the second, image-side pinhole mask
3a has, as is usual in the case of point diffraction
interferometers, a second, larger opening for the free passage of
the OUT wave. The result of this on the detection plane of the
detector element 5 is the coherent superimposition of reference
wave and OUT wave, and the resulting interference pattern can be
detected by the detector element 5 in a spatially resolving
fashion, and be evaluated in the usual way by means of a downstream
evaluation unit. The phase shift mentioned is advantageous here,
but not necessary in principle, since the relative tilting of OUT
and reference waves results in multiple fringe inter-ferograms from
which the phase shift can be calculated with the aid of multiple
fringe evaluation methods.
[0068] Characteristic, in turn, of the device of FIG. 5 is the
formation of the immersion fluid chambers 8a, 8b, 8c, 8f from the
interspaces between the optics components mentioned with the aid of
suitable means forming the fluid chambers, here, once again by the
bellows 7a, 7b, 7c, 7e, the beam-splitting diffraction grating 15
being arranged inside the immersion fluid chamber 8b, or dividing
up the latter appropriately. It goes without saying that it is also
possible to use the abovementioned, alternative means forming fluid
chambers instead of the bellows. It also goes without saying that
in variants of the device of FIG. 5 only some of the interspaces
need to be sealed with the formation of a respective immersion
fluid chamber.
[0069] Whereas the above exemplary embodiments described measuring
devices of the single-pass type, in the case of which the test
radiation is led only once through the OUT, FIG. 6 shows a
measuring device of the dual-pass type, specifically of the type of
a Twyman-Green interferometer. Adjoining a light source (not
shown), this device includes focusing optics 17 with a pinhole
diaphragm as spatial filter, and an adjoining beam splitter 18, of
which a first half deflects the radiation by 90.degree. in the
direction of the OUT 1, while the remaining radiation is passed
without deflection to a reference system part 19 with a plane
mirror 19a and an axial movement actuator 19b with the aid of which
the plane mirror 19a can, as symbolized by double arrows, be moved
axially for the purpose of phase shifting.
[0070] The radiation fraction reflected by the beam splitter 19 is
focused by following focusing optics 20 into the object plane of
the OUT 1, in order to provide a spherical test wave there. A
spherical concave mirror 21 is arranged on the image side in such a
way that its centre of curvature lies in the image plane of the OUT
1. Consequently, the radiation emerging on the image side from the
OUT 1 is retroreflected through the latter again by the spherical
concave mirror 21. In the ideal case, that is to say given perfect
adjustment and without defects in the component parts, the outward
and returning paths of the wave are identical. In general, with
such dual-pass arrangements the reflecting surfaces are spherically
curved, that is to say formed by concave or convex glass or mirror
members, since the beam path is convergent at the exit end in the
case of imaging objectives to be measured. The radiation then
passes via the focusing optics 20 and the beam splitter 19 onto the
detector plane of a detector element 5a which is arranged behind
the beam splitter 19 and can be an image recording camera, for
example. In addition, the reference radiation retroreflected by the
reference system part 19 and deflected through 90.degree. by the
beam splitter 19 passes to the detector element 5a and interferes
with the radiation which has passed twice through the OUT 1, as is
usual in the case of the design of the Twyman-Green
interferometer.
[0071] Characteristically, one immersion fluid chamber 8b, 8c is
respectively formed by means of respective bellows 7b, 7c,
alternatively, by means of one or the other, abovementioned sealing
variants, on the object side and image side in a fashion adjacent
to the OUT 1, that is to say on the object side between the
focusing optics 20 and the entrance-end objective lens 1a, and on
the image side between the exit-end objective lens 1c and the
spherical concave mirror 21. The abovementioned properties and
advantages of filling these interspaces with an immersion fluid are
obtained, once again.
[0072] The device shown in FIG. 7 likewise serves for the highly
accurate measurement of optical imaging systems, for example a
high-resolution microlithography projection objective, which is
illustrated merely diagrammatically and in an abbreviated fashion
with an exit-end element 30, such as an exit-end lens, with regard
to aberrations, in particular distortion. For this purpose, the
device has an illuminating device 31 which can, for example, be a
conventional illuminating system of a microlithography projection
exposure machine, specifically in cases in which the measuring
device is integrated in the exposure machine. The wavelength of the
radiation supplied by the illuminating device 31 can lie, in
particular, in the UV or EUV region.
[0073] The device also comprises an object-side test optics
component 32, which is preferably to be positioned in the object
plane of the projection objective and has a periodic structure 32a
which is designed in this example as a Moire pattern, typically
with periodic Moire strips.
[0074] The device also includes a container 34 which is to be
positioned on the image side and can be filled with an immersion
fluid 35 and has an upper cover 41 on the edge side into which a
sufficiently large opening is let, through which the exit-end
element 30 of the projection objective can pass, a movement gap 39
remaining between the opening edge and the penetrating optical
element 30.
[0075] A further periodic structure 36, which is likewise designed
as a Moire pattern, is mounted on a window 37 which is inserted in
a fluid-tight fashion in a cutout which is provided in a base wall
43 of the container 34. Alternatively, the image-side Moire pattern
36 can also be positioned above and therefore in front of the
window 37 on a carrier element fitted in the container 34, for
example on a carrier plate. The window 37 can optionally be made
from a fluorescing material which, in the event of use of a
non-visible radiation such as UV radiation, permits the latter
and/or the interference pattern or superimposition pattern to be
visualized.
[0076] The device shown can be used to measure the projection
objective with a low outlay at its operating site without the need
for this purpose to remove it from the microlithography projection
exposure machine. For this purpose, the object-side Moire pattern
32a is brought into its desired object-side position, for example
by inserting it into the beam path with the aid of a reticle holder
in exchange for a reticle in the object plane which is used in
normal operation. The container 34 is correspondingly filled with
immersion fluid 35 such that the latter covers the Moire pattern
36, and is positioned on the image side at a suitable point, for
example in the image plane of the projection objective. This can be
performed, for example, with the aid of a wafer holder which is
used in normal operation to position a wafer to be exposed in the
image plane. In other words, by exchanging the said components the
microlithography projection exposure machine can easily be switched
over from normal operation, that is to say the imaging of a reticle
positioned in the object plane onto a wafer positioned in the image
plane, to measurement operation. In the measurement operation
position shown, the exit-end element 30 of the projection objective
dips into the immersion fluid 35, that is to say the latter fills
the interspace between the said objective and the image-side Moire
pattern 36.
[0077] In the measurement operation shown, the object-side Moire
pattern 32a is imaged by the projection objective onto the
image-side Moire pattern 36, such that superimposition of the image
of the object-side Moire pattern 32a and the image-side Moire
pattern 36 produces a Moire superimposition pattern which is
observed through the window 37 with the aid of a detector 38. In a
way familiar to the person skilled in the art, aberrations, in
particular distortion errors, of the projection objective are
detected by appropriate evaluation of the Moire superimposition
pattern.
[0078] Depending on requirement, the movement gap 39 permits a
movement of the container 34 in all spatial directions for the
purposes of adjustment or measurement, for example a lateral and/or
axial displacement, a tilting and/or rotation such that the
container 34, and thus the associated Moire pattern 36, can be
positioned optimally for the measurement operation. The movement or
positioning of the container 34 is accomplished by a suitably
fitted and designed positioning unit 42. In addition, it is
optionally possible for the object-side and/or image-side Moire
pattern 32a, 36 to be subjected to expansion, contraction or
rotation in order to obtain a Moire strip superimposition pattern
which can be effectively evaluated, and/or to compensate
aberrations of the projection objective partially in advance.
[0079] The movement gap 39 also permits direct access to the
immersion fluid 35, and this permits the elimination of disturbing
influences exerted by the latter on the measurement operation, such
as striations, gas bubbles or thermal effects.
[0080] It goes without saying that the device shown is suitable for
measuring not only a projection objective, but also any other
desired optical imaging systems and other optical systems by means
of Moire measurement technology. The invention also comprises
devices which are based on other conventional measuring techniques
for determining aberrations of optical imaging systems and which
make use of a periodic structure to be arranged on the object side
and/or image side, in order to generate a superimposition pattern
or interference pattern indicating aberrations. The invention is
suitable for all normally used radiation wavelengths, such as for
the use of an He--Ne laser at 632.8 nm, and other light sources
such as are customary in lithography, in particular including those
in the UV wavelength region and EUV wavelength region between 10 nm
and 300 nm.
[0081] In all the exemplary embodiments shown, the immersion fluid
can be introduced in a stationary fashion into the relevant
immersion fluid chamber or the container, or alternatively, the
respective immersion fluid chamber is flushed or refilled
continuously or periodically with the immersion fluid. It is
possible in this way to avoid any kind of disruptive effect owing
to heating of the immersion fluid, and/or to achieve temperature
control, for example cooling, of the adjacent optical components.
Suitable conventional means are then provided for this purpose, in
particular an inlet 22a and an outlet 22b into or from the
immersion fluid chamber 8c, as shown in FIG. 6 by way of example
for the case of the immersion fluid chamber 8c. In this way, the
immersion fluid 23 can be conveyed in the circulation by means of a
pump from a storage tank into the corresponding immersion fluid
chamber, and extracted therefrom.
[0082] FIGS. 8 to 13 show further advantageous embodiments of the
image-side part of an OI device for measurement of optical systems,
in which case this image-side device part may, of course, also be
used, in each case in a suitably modified form, for measurement
devices which operate on the basis of one of the other measurement
principles mentioned above. For the sake of clarity, only those
components which are essential to the explanation of the special
feature are illustrated, in each case schematically.
[0083] Specifically, FIG. 8 shows an image-side device part with a
structure mount 53 which is arranged at a relatively short distance
in the beam path behind an objective 51, which is indicated only
schematically but is to be measured, and which may, in particular,
be a microlithography projection objective as in the above
exemplary embodiments. An immersion liquid 52, for example water,
is introduced into the space between the objective 51 to be
measured and the structure mount 53. On its radiation inlet side
facing the objective 51, the structure mount 53 has a conventional
interference pattern production structure, which is not shown in
any more detail, such as a diffraction grating structure for OI
measurement. A detector element 55, such as a CCD array, is located
adjacent to the structure mount 53, without any gap, or at a very
short distance. Alternatively, a faceplate can be inserted between
the structure mount 53 and the detector element, and is mounted on
the detector element 55. A certain distance between the detector
element 55 and the structure mount 53, with or without a faceplate,
reduces the thermal load on the structure mount 53 and the
objective 51 caused by a detecting image recording camera.
[0084] This compact configuration of the detector part is suitable,
for example, for an OI device which operates on the principle of
parallel, that is to say multichannel, lateral shearing
interferometry, and which is able to measure optical systems, in
particular with respect to the aberrations which correspond to the
Zernike coefficients Z2 to Z37, with in-line calibration preferably
being provided. This detector configuration is also particularly
suitable for measurement of objects with a very high numerical
aperture NA, for example NA>1, as occurs, for example, in the
case of so-called immersion objectives, whose design includes an
immersion liquid.
[0085] In a situation such as this, unless further measures are
taken, there is a risk of total internal reflection occurring on
the radiation exit surface of the structure mount 53 owing to the
high beam angles which occur, as is illustrated in FIG. 8 for an
incident beam ES by means of a reflected beam RS, which is
indicated by a dashed line, and is the result of total internal
reflection of the incident beam ES at this boundary surface of the
structure mount 53 with the air. In order to prevent this effect, a
quantum converter layer 54 is applied to this radiation exit
surface of the structure mount 53 in the exemplary embodiment shown
in FIG. 8. The material of the quantum converter layer 54 is chosen
such that it converts the incident radiation to radiation at a
different wavelength, at which the total internal reflection effect
does not occur. For example, the quantum converter layer 54 may be
designed to transform incident radiation, for example at a
wavelength of 193 nm to radiation at a sufficiently longer
wavelength, for example to radiation at a wavelength of 550 nm.
[0086] Quantum converter layers of this type, for example
fluorescent/luminescent layers, are known per se to those skilled
in the art and are frequently applied, for example, to a CCD chip
for the purpose of appropriate quantum conversion, so that they do
not require any further explanation here. In the present case, the
quantum converter layer 54 is located on the lower face, that is to
say the radiation exit surface, of the structure mount 53, and the
interferogrammes to be detected are produced in the quantum
converter layer 54. The CCD array 55 is positioned at a
sufficiently short distance, preferably of <10 .mu.m, behind the
quantum converter layer 54, in order to minimize striation of the
radiation emitted from the quantum converter layer 54 into the
entire hemisphere and thus of the interferogrammes to be detected
on the CCD array 55. Alternatively, the CCD array 55 may be
arranged in direct touching contact with the quantum converter
layer 54, that is to say the substrate mount 53, the quantum
converter layer 54 and the CCD chip 55 then form a sandwich
structure.
[0087] FIG. 9 shows a variant of the example shown in FIG. 8, with
the same reference symbols being chosen here as in the further
FIGS. 9 to 13 as well, for identical or functionally equivalent
elements, for clarity purposes. The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9
differs from that in FIG. 8 in that a lens element 56 rather than a
quantum converter layer is fitted to the lower face of the
substrate mount 53, that is to say on its radiation exit surface,
for example by wringing. The lens element 56 may have a
hemispherical shape, or, alternatively, an aspherical shape. If
required, imaging errors caused by the detection optics formed by
the lens element 56 may be corrected in a suitable manner, for
example by using a conventional focus trick technique. Numerical
wavefront correction can also be used, for example as described in
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/766,014 from the same
applicant, whose content is hereby included herein, in its
entirety, by reference. As is symbolized by the incident beam ES1
which passes through as far as the CCD chip 55 in FIG. 9, the lens
element 56 has a beam deflecting effect, which prevents total
internal reflection from occurring on the radiation exit surface of
the substrate mount 53. In this case, the CCD chip 55 is adjacent
to, but at a suitable distance from, the substrate mount 53 with
the lens elements 56 that has been wrung onto its lower face.
[0088] FIG. 10 shows a variant of FIG. 8, in which the
interferogramme which is produced in an active image-producing area
54b of a quantum converter layer 54a on the lower face of the
substrate mount 53, does not fall directly on a CCD chip which is
in touching contact or is a short distance behind it, but is imaged
by means of imaging optics 56 on a detection-active part 55a of the
CCD array, or of the corresponding image recording camera 55. As in
the case of FIG. 8, the quantum converter layer 54a to a major
extent prevents the occurrence of total internal reflection, that
is to say the reflected radiation RS marked by a dashed line, for
light beams ES which are incident at large angles.
[0089] FIG. 11 shows a variant of FIG. 8, in which an immersion
liquid 52a is additionally introduced into the space between the
structure mount 53 and the CCD chip 55, as well. This means that
there is no boundary surface between the structure mount 53 and the
air, thus avoiding the total internal reflection effect caused by
this. A quantum converter layer on the lower face of the structure
mount 53 may admittedly be provided if required, but is not
absolutely essential, and FIG. 11 shows the situation without a
quantum converter layer. It is also possible to provide a quantum
converter layer or some other suitable protection layer on the CCD
chip 55, in order to isolate it and the image recording camera from
the immersion liquid 52a, and thus to protect them. Any other test
optics component which is adjacent to an immersion liquid may be
provided with a protection layer such as this in the same way.
[0090] It is self-evident that the measures mentioned above
relating to the individual FIGS. 8 to 11 can also be combined in
any other desired manner. Thus, for example, the lens elements 56
shown in FIG. 9 can be applied to the quantum converter layer 54
shown in FIG. 8, and/or the space between the structure mount 53
and the lens element 56 and the CCD chip 55 as shown in FIG. 9 can
be filled with the immersion liquid 52a as shown in FIG. 11, which
then surrounds the lens element 56. In a further embodiment of the
invention, which is not illustrated, a plurality of individual lens
elements may be fitted to the lower face of the structure mount 53
as a variant of FIG. 9.
[0091] The measures explained above with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11
advantageously provide the precondition to allow even objectives
with very high numerical apertures to be measured on a number of
channels by means of an appropriate wavefront measurement device,
for example a device which operates with the aid of lateral
shearing interferometry, that is to say simultaneously for a
plurality of field points.
[0092] FIG. 12 shows an exemplary embodiment of the image-side part
of a measuring device, in which a structure mount 53a in the form
of a structure mount 53 shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 and having a lens
element 56a fitted to its lower face in the manner of the lens
element 56 shown in FIG. 9 is mechanically rigidly coupled to a
microscope objective 57a by means of an annular holder 58. As in
the example shown in FIG. 9, the lens element 56a which is wrung
onto the lower face of the structure mount 53a to a major extent
avoids the occurrence of total internal reflection even for high
incidence angles of the incident measurement radiation ES2, without
the need for immersion liquid to be introduced into the space
between the structure mount 53a with the lens element 56a wrung on
it and the microscope object 57a, although this may optionally be
provided. For this purpose, the lens element 56a is chosen such
that it decreases the numerical aperture for the radiation ES2 to
such an extent that all of the required beams can also propagate
through the air to the microscope objective 57a and to a downstream
image recording camera 55a with a CCD array.
[0093] Once again, an immersion liquid 52a is introduced into the
beam path upstream of the structure mount 53a, adjacent to its
radiation inlet surface, although this is indicated only
schematically in FIG. 12. In this case, as in the situations in
FIGS. 8 to 11, the immersion liquid 52a preferably fills the space
between the exit surface of an optical system which is to be
measured but is not shown in FIG. 12, in the same way as a
microlithography projection objective, and the structure mount 53a.
Only this intermediate space in the detection part of the measuring
device is filled with the immersion liquid 52a in the example shown
in FIG. 12, preferably being rinsed although this is not absolutely
essential for the space between the structure mount 53a and the
microscope objective 57a, as a result of the arrangement of the
lens element 56a. The microscope objective 57a images the radiation
onto the downstream imaging recording camera 55a.
[0094] Precise lateral and vertical adjustment of the microscope
objective 57a relative to the structure mount 53a with the
associated interference pattern production structure is of
considerable importance for the measurement process, in particular
for an OI measurement. The rigid mechanical coupling of these two
components 53a, 57a by means of the holder 58 fixes the adjustment
parameters, thus avoiding changes to these parameters. The fixing
of the structure mount 53a and microscope objective 57a relative to
one another also makes it possible to keep small specific design
parameters, such as the area of sine correction, thus simplifying
the design, production and manufacture of the microscope objective
57a.
[0095] As an alternative to the example illustrated in FIG. 12, the
lens element 56a there may also be omitted, with immersion liquid
being introduced, instead of this, into the space between the
structure mount 53a and the microscope objective 57a, and/or with a
quantum converter layer being provided on the lower face of the
structure mount 53a. In a further alternative embodiment, which is
not illustrated, the imaging optics 57 are, as a variant of the
exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 10, mechanically rigidly
connected to the structure mount 53 via a holder in the form of the
holder 58 shown in FIG. 12. A further variant of the example shown
in FIG. 12, but which is not illustrated, dispenses with the rigid
mechanical coupling of the structure mount 53a and microscope
objective 57a, and thus with the holder 58.
[0096] FIG. 13 shows an alternative to the lens element 56a on the
lower face of the structure mount 53a shown in FIG. 12.
Specifically, FIG. 13 provides for a wetting layer 59 with a
wetting subarea 59a and a non-wetting subarea 59b, which surrounds
the subarea 59a, to be provided on the lower face, that is to say
the radiation exit surface, of a corresponding structure mount 53b,
and for a hanging liquid droplet 60 to be attached to the wetting
layer area 59a. This droplet may, for example, be composed of
water, in which case quartz glass, for example, is then suitable
for the wetting layer area 59a.
[0097] The liquid droplet 60 acts as a liquid lens, and with this
function replaces the wrung-on lens element 56a in the example in
FIG. 12. The shape of the liquid droplet 60 and thus its optical
imaging characteristics can be fixed in a desired manner by
suitable material selection for the droplet 60, for the wetting
layer area 59a, and for the non-wetting layer area 59b. Liquid lens
systems of this type and of a different type which can be used in
the present case and which may, for example, also be composed of a
plurality of liquids are known per se from the prior art, to which
reference can be made, and which thus require no further
explanation. In operation, the saturation vapor pressure of the
liquid which is used for the liquid droplet 60 is set in the space
between the structure mount 53b and downstream optics by, for
example, preventing any gas exchange between this intermediate
space and the exterior or, when using water for the liquid droplet
60, by measuring the moisture content in the intermediate space,
and by introducing water vapor, if required. In alternative
embodiments, a plurality of such liquid droplets can also be
provided on the lower face of the structure mount 59b.
[0098] The various embodiments which have been explained above with
reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 for the image-side part of a measuring
device are suitable not only, as mentioned, for OI devices but
also, in a possibly suitably modified form, for measuring devices
which are based on other measurement principles, for example on
point diffraction interferometry.
[0099] As the exemplary embodiments shown and described above make
plain, the invention makes available a device with the aid of which
it is also possible to optically measure very accurately optical
imaging systems having a very high numerical aperture, for example
with the aid of wave front measurement by means of shearing
interferometry or point diffraction interferometry. The device can
be used, in particular, in the case of projection objectives in
microlithography systems, such as those of the scanner or stepper
type, as an OI arrangement for wavefront detection, or as a Moire
measuring arrangement, it being possible to integrate it into the
lithography system itself, if necessary. It goes without saying
that the measuring device according to the invention can also be
used for the optical measurement of any other optical imaging
systems with the use of interferometric or other conventional
measurement techniques, in particular for spatially resolved
measurement over the entire pupil area with a high numerical
aperture.
[0100] By using immersion, for example for the formation of one or
more immersion fluid chambers in one or more interspaces, traversed
by the measuring optical radiation, between optical components of
the measuring device and/or between the OUT and respectively
adjacent test optics components, it is possible to reduce the
aperture angle or the beam cross section of the measuring
radiation, and the measuring device can be of compact design.
Although the formation of immersion fluid chambers or the use of a
container for the immersion fluid is generally advantageous, it is
not mandatory. However, the invention also comprises embodiments in
the case of which the immersion fluid is introduced without an
immersion fluid chamber formed specifically therefor, and without a
container provided specifically therefor. To be specific, the
immersion fluid may be introduced adjacent to at least one of the
one or more object-side and/or image-side test optics components,
so that the guidance of the radiation through the immersion fluid
is influenced in a desired way.
[0101] The above description of the preferred embodiments has been
given by way of example. From the disclosure given, those skilled
in the art will not only understand the present invention and its
attendant advantages, but will also find apparent various changes
and modifications to the structures and methods disclosed. It is
sought, therefore, to cover all changes and modifications as fall
within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the
appended claims, and equivalents thereof.
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